Closure for discharge apertures in packages



W. F. DOWNING. JR CLOSURE FOR DISCHARGE APERTURES IN PACKAGES Filed Nov. 6. 1922 2 heets-Sheet 1 Quorum;

Sept. 18 1 923. 11,46,359 W. F. DOWNING, JR

CLOSURE FOR DISCHARGE APERTURES IN PACKAGES Filed Nov. 6, 1922v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 18, 1923.

WI-LLIAM F. DOVJNING, JR; OF ST. CLAIR, MICHIGAN.

CLOSURE FOR DISCHARGE APERTURES IN PACKAGES.

Application filed November 6, 1922. Serial No. 599,350.

To all 'uihom it may concern! Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. Downriver, J12, a citizen of the United States of l America, residing at St. Clair, in the county of St. Clair and State of Michigan, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvemerits in Closures for Discharge Apertures in Packages, of which the following is a. specification, reference being had therein to' the accompanying drawings.

i The invention relates to closures for pouring apertures in packages, and constitutes an improvement in the structure shown in.

a Patent No. 1,268,901 to Charles L; Wen,

issued Junell,l9l8.i In the said patent the closure comprises a member formed with a substantially rectangular flat top and sub-.

stantially parallel V-shapedsidewings depending therefrom, having notches therein adjacent to'the apex ofthe head. The dimensions are such thatjthe side wings will fit ,againstthe opposite sides of an aperture in the; box or receptacle, while the length of the flat top is slightly greater than the, length of said aperture so that when pressed down, it will} overlap the ends thereof and close the opening. I On the other hand, when the'device is pulled outward, the notchedv ends of the wings wi'll'form aful'crumpn pivot, while lugs or flanges projecting from the large end of the V form stops for limiting the outward, movement. Thus the top;

1 of the closure will assume an: angling position and will act as a guide orspout} for directing the materialwhich ispoured from the aperture. r

It is the'object, of thepresent inventionto' simplify the constructionand lessen the cost of manufacture of a device ofthe general character above described, and atthe same time to obtainan improved construe tion having additional useful functions. To 7 this end the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

In-the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of. a box or receptacle'to which my improved closure is applied;

Figure 21s a perspective view of the closure detached;

'Figure 3 is a section through a portion of the vbox showing the closure in one position of adjustment for pouring;

Figure 4 is a similar view showing a different adjustment;

Figure 5 is a similar View of still another adjustment;

Figure 6 isa cross-section showing the closure in closed position;

Figures 7, 8, and 9 are enlarged views showing respectively the blank for the closure and a plan View, side elevation and end elevation thereof.

One disadvantage adherent in the structure of Patent No. 1,268,901 is due to the unsymmetrical form requiring definite positioning in the pouring aperture and also limiting the opening to one end only. With my improved construction I have substituted a symmetrical form which may be reversed in position in the aperture without detriment and which is double-acting, being capable of opening from either end. Thus, as shown in detail, the improved closure com prises a fiat substantially rectangular top portion A having depending wings B and B of symmetrical form, being cut away at each end to' leave projecting portions (1 "in the top and also projecting lugs at the outer edges. The lugs D are rounded on their outer edges, as shown at E, and the dimension from the nose or point of one lug to the rounded or heel portion'of the opposite lug onithe's'ame wing is slightly less than the length of the apertureF in the receptacle G; Thus where the receptacle is'for'med of paper or other slightly resilient and yielding material, the lugs D may be snappedinto the aperture but will actas stops for preventing accidental detachment.

As specifically shown, the cut-away ends of the side wingsB and B are of segmental form, as indicated at H. This-permits the swinging of the closure outward at one end with the opposite end acting as a pivot and the center of the segment H. However, this segmental form is not essential to the operation.' The side wings B and B are further provided with struck-out knobs I adjacent to the top K, which may be snapped by the opposite edges ofthe aperture F and will tend to hold the closure normally in its closed position. i The structure as above described may be more easily manufactured than the structure of the former patent, and the assembly of the closure with the boxes or cartons is greatly simplified. Thus, in assembling the old structure, the operator, in picking up ing side wings, the opposite endsof said range each in a definite relation to the aperture in the box. Such manipulation materially increases the time required for the engagement of a closure with the box. On the other hand, with the improved structure both ends are alike, and consequently the work of assembling is expedited.

Aside from the advantages in manufacture, the improved construction has advantages in use. \Vith the old construction, only one end of the closure could be opened, which required the definite arrangement of the box in relation to the receptacle (such as a salt shaker) to be. filled therefrom. With the new structure: either end may be opened, so that, as shown in Figure 3, the pouring may be effected from the outside of the aperture, or, as shown in Figure 4, fromthe inside thereof. Again, it sometimes happens that material within the 1302;, such, for instance, as salt, will form lumps, clogging the pouring aperture. If thisis the case, both ends can be opened, as shown in Figure 5, and any pointed instrument, as indicated in dotted lines at J can be inserted to clear the opening.

The prov1sion of the knobs or bosses I is also a distinct advantage, in that the closure is held from accidental opening. Thus the force required to snap the knobs past the edges of the aperture is-enough tohold the fiat top A normally in contact with the top of the receptacle, but this does not interfere with'easily drawing out either end.

i What I claim as my invention is: Y

1. The combination with a receptacle having a pouring aperture therein, of a closure for said aperture having inwardly -eXtendwings being movable transversely of the sides of said aperture to permit either end of the closure tobe opened.

2. The combination with a receptacle having a pouring aperture therein, of a closure forsaid aperture comprisingan outer portion of slightly greater length than the aperture, and inwardly extending-"side wings having portions cutaway at opposite ends to less than the length of said outer portion and providing projecting lugs at the inner edges thereof. 1

4:. The combination with a receptacle havQ ing a pouring aperture therein and a closure for said aperture comprising anouter portion of the width of the apertureand slightly greater length, side wings extending inward and a knob or outward projection from said side wings adapted to snap past theedge of the aperture to retain said closure in closed position. V 5. The combination with a receptacle having a pour ng aperture there n, of a closure for said aperture comprising an outerpor tion of the width. of the aperture. and

slightly greater length, parallelsidewings projecting inward and having similar projections at opposite ends andI projecting knobs or bosses on said side wings'ior coopcrating with the edges of said aperture to re tain the closure in closed position. 7

6. A closure for an apertured receptacle formed from a flat blank having a central portion of the width of the aperture and slightly greater length, side portions struck up into planesperpendicular from the central portion, the ends" of said side portions having portions cut away with similar proecting lugs attheir inner edges, for the purpose described. r 5 i I 7. The combination with a receptacle having a discharge'outlet therein, of a closure for said aperture having side wings extend ing into saidaperture, and pivots upon said side wings alternately engageable with the side walls of said aperture whereby an outlet may'be provided at either end of said aperture. i

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature;

WJRDOWNI G, n. 

